YES! Beat Liver Tumors

877-937-7478

The health care reform debate may (or may not) be in its endgame, with votes expected perhaps late in the week or on the weekend.
Personally, I believe that significant health care reform is long overdue (this is my own belief and not an organizational position of YES).  But I’m not naive, and I know that reform legislation itself won’t solve everything.  Whatever the outcome, we will all still be responsible for fighting for ourselves and our families to receive the treatment and care that we deserve.  The most important reform that cancer survivors can make is to be their own best advocate!

YES stresses the importance of advocacy because, yes, we want you to learn to fight for public policy changes that will benefit all of us.  But we also want you to learn to fight for yourself and your family’s needs.  The former is global and demonstrates your concern for wider society; the latter is personal and involves discerning and speaking up for the care you need.  Obviously, the skills necessary for both are related.  During 2010, we intend to enhance both the advocacy skills of YES members and the advocacy clout of the YES community.  And we will start at the upcoming Liver Symposium in Dallas (www.theliversymposium.com).

The initial two Liver Symposia held in 2009 at Chicago and at Denver were extraordinary events.  The honest, down-to-earth exchanges and information-sharing (yes, storytelling) between patients, physicians, and other medical professionals were praised by all participants.  These features have, of course, been incorporated into the Dallas event.

In terms of advocacy, we will work in Dallas on learning effective ways to “tell our stories,” the beginning place for better advocacy and for taking charge of your own health care reform.  For those interested in additional background, strategies, and techniques, a workshop will be included to discuss ways of making a difference…for yourself and for others.

So, prepare this year to advocate for yourself, your family, and others in the struggle to reform our health care – both in the U.S. and in your home.  Hope to see you in Dallas!

Jim

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Survivor Hotline: 1-877-937-7478 (US only);
info@beatlivertumors.org
The information presented in this Website is not intended as a substitute for medical care. Please talk with your healthcare provider about any information you get from this Website.

March 16, 2010
Preparing Your Own Health Care Reform